Four-month-old baby Evan Summerfield, dies of meningitis, just hours after laughing for the very first time

A family have been left devastated after their four-month-old baby died from meningitis just 12 hours after laughing for the very first time.

Evan Summerfield from Devon had just learned how to giggle and take his dummy out by himself but just hours later he was fighting for his life.

The youngster had woken from a nap with a rash stretching from his head to his belly-button.

And when his great-grandmother carried out the 'glass test', she saw that it didn't fade under pressure.

He was rushed to Derriford Hospital in Plymouth but despite doctors and nurses battling to save him, Evan was diagnosed with meningoccal septicaemia and died soon after.

His death has devastated his parents Shannon Summerfield, 17, and Kris Adams, 19, who have been left confused as to how he could fall ill so quickly.

Evan's grandmother Sarah Summerfield, 38, said: 'We're so confused how fast this horrible, nasty illness just takes hold.

'One moment he was laughing and smiling and then, it seems like in a heartbeat, he was so cruelly taken away.'

Evan was born on November 3 last year and was just four-months-old when he took ill with a high temperature while staying with his great grandparents.

His grandmother explained: 'They took him to the doctors and that was the first and last time he laughed. It's like he left it for us.

'The doctor said he had a virus and gave him Calpol and Nurofen, and said if it gets worse he should come straight back.

They went home and put him to bed and he was fine, but in the morning he had a rash from the top of his head to his belly button.

'My mum did the glass test and called 999 - she was so quick-thinking - it would be easy to think it was chicken pox.

I just remember him having doctors and nurses all around him. But he was pronounced dead at 10.15am.

'I’m 38 and I never thought I would have to sort out a funeral, never mind for my 17-year-old daughter having to organize one for her four-month-old son.

MENINGITIS: WHAT TO LOOK FOR 

Meningitis Research Foundation estimates that there are around 3,400 cases of bacterial meningitis and septicaemia every year in the UK and Ireland.

This means that every day nine people become ill with the disease. With one in ten people dying, a death will occur almost every day.

A further two people will be left with life-altering after effects as severe as brain damage, deafness and multiple amputations. 

Symptoms of meningitis and septicaemia: 

• Fever and/or vomitting
• Severe headache 
• Limb, joint or muscle pain 
• Cold hands and feet and or shivering
• Pale or mottled skin 
• Breathing fast or feeling breathless 
• A rash anywhere on the body 
• A stiff neck - less common in young children 
• A dislike of bright lights - less common in young children
• Very sleepy, vacant, or difficult to wake 
• Confused or delirious 
• Seizures or fits may be seen 

Source: Meningitis Research Foundation 

'It’s not right. I should have gone first before my grandson.

'He was so loved by everyone around him and everyone who saw him would comment on his gorgeous big, blue eyes. He was such a content baby.

'He had just learnt a new trick of taking his dummy out, and he loved the Simpsons, Iggle Piggle and 64 Zoo Lane - and even used to watch MASH with his great grandad.

'Everyone said what a brilliant mother Shannon was and Kris was a brilliant father. Even if Shannon just left the room for a second when she came back he would say "muh" and his big eyes would be beaming.'

Now family friend Charlie McManus has set up a fund-raising page to help pay for Evan’s funeral, and help ease some of the family’s heartbreak.

The family wanted to thank everyone for their donations, and have seen more than £1,000 given for Evan’s funeral.

All extra money will be donated to the Meningitis Research Foundation in the hope it will help stop other families going through the same thing.

Mrs Sumemrfield added: 'We’re not looking to give him a king's funeral, just what he deserves. We’re so grateful to everyone, people have been so kind.

'We also want to warn people to be vigilant - it’s just shocking. There is a vaccine available now which hasn’t been licensed yet because there are debates over price.

'But how can you put a price on life, it’s sickening.

“We should be protecting younger generations not having pharmaceutical companies holding them to ransom and arguing over price.'

Source; UK Daily Mail